Abstract:
The total biomass, productivity and biodiversity of algae and bacteria from the sea ice and the water column was investigated in Granite Harbour. Sampling sites in the Granite Harbour area were used to survey the sea ice for algae and bacteria by drilling cores and using bottom ice, brine and using the entire ice core to look at biomass in profile. Initial chlorophyll concentrations were ... determined on all samples and additional sub samples were collected for analysis of bacterial and algal cell counts, carbon concentrations, DNA content, MAA composition, species biodiversity and cell numbers. Sea water under the ice was sampled at 5, 25 and 50m depths and similar analysis were performed. CTD (conductivity, temperature and chlorophyll concentration) profiles were taken in the water column every day at solar noon. A brine survey was also conducted. The sampling sites were ~100m, ~200m & ~300m from a freshwater source (glacial ice near the camp site). Holes of depth 60cm, 80cm & 120cm were drilled using the SIPRE corer and the core was removed from the hole, prior to covering with a black plastic. Samples were analysed for salinity and kept for biomass measurements. Each sea ice and seawater sample will be screened for the following: (i) bacterial diversity, (ii) cyanobacterial sequences (iii) proteorhodopsin-containing sequences (iv) carbon content, (v) mycosporine-like amino acids (vi) chlorophyll a, (vii) viral community composition, (viii) nutrient concentration i.e. ammonium and phosphates, and (ix) methylumbelliferyl enzymatic activity.